News

Congratulations to Tor Stenberg, Mortgage Loan Origination Officer on his graduation from The New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts. The graduation was the culmination of an intensive two-year program that provides banking professionals with the tools they need to manage effectively in today’s changing industry.

Above: Mark Pitkin, President and CEO & Tor Stenberg, Mortgage Loan Origination Officer.

Congratulations to Terri Crate
Congratulations to Terri Crate, Vice President Loan Origination Officer for receiving the Upper Valley Board of Realtors 2024 Affiliate of the Year Award. Thank you for the dedication & commitment in making SRB part of the Upper Valley Community.

Congratulations to Karen Knabb for her recent promotion to Senior Digital Banking Specialist. We also want to congratulate her on earning the American Bankers Association Digital Banker certificate. Karen started with SRB in 2019 as a teller and has worked in multiple positions before her most recent position in digital banking. Karen's vast knowledge and leadership makes her a key member of the digital banking team.

Heather started her SRB career in 2001 and has held many key roles such as Loan Processor, Loan Underwriter and most recent Assistant Vice President Mortgage Operations Officer. Heather has received graduate certificates form Northern New England School of Banking and the New England School for Financial Studies at Babson College. Her dedication and positive attitude make her a critical part of the lending department team.

Dori Petrin promoted to Assistant Vice President/Operations and Digital Banking.
Dori joined the bank in 1983 and has served in deposit operations for over 40 years. Dori’s vast experience and knowledge of operations and digital banking will be critical to the ongoing success of the department and the bank. She has proven herself to be an invaluable team member over the past several decades.

Lynn Rodeschin, Vice President/Head of Operations, after 44 years of dedicated service to Sugar River Bank retired on May 3, 2024.Lynn began her career in 1979 as a Teller in the bank’s retail department and worked in various other positions throughout her tenure at the bank. Over her many years of service, she has guided the company through numerous operational changes, updates, upgrades, and installations. Lynn has played a vital role in implementing numerous new products, services, and operational innovations. She has also remained highly committed to giving back to the community, serving as the Treasurer for the Friends of the Lempster Meeting House, Trustee of Trust Funds for the Town of Lempster, and Treasurer of the Newport Salvation Army. Mark Pitkin, President & CEO, said “after more than four decades of loyal service to the bank, its customers, and employees, Lynn will be dearly missed. Her leadership of the operations department and her contributions to innovation have been an integral part of the bank’s success over the years.”

Michelle Duford promoted to Vice President/Operations and Digital Banking.
Michelle joined Sugar River Bank in 1997 and has nearly 40 years of combined banking experience. Serving 27 years in operational roles at the bank, Michelle provides extensive knowledge, experience, and insight to her new executive role. She is focused on customer experience, including convenient and consistent access to bank products and services through multiple channels.

Tor Stenberg promoted to Mortgage Loan Origination Officer.
Tor has been building strong community connections over the last 3 years making him one of the top three leading mortgage originators in the Connecticut River Valley multiple times. Tor is currently attending the New England School of Financial Studies and will graduate in June.

Newport, NH – Sugar River Bancorp, the mutual holding company of Sugar River Bank, is pleased to announce the recent election of three new Corporators.
At its 129th annual meeting held on April 19th, the Bank welcomed April Royce, Lauren Snow Chadwick & Scott Austin.

April Royce
Chief Financial Officer/Operations Manager
Robert A. Lucas & Associates
April is a financial/operations professional. Since 2018, she has served as CFO of Robert A. Lucas & Associates, a Public Insurance Adjusting Company. April also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Accounting & Finance at Colby-Sawyer College. Since 2017, she has been a business consultant for Royce Enterprises, LLC, and served as CFO of NEK Holdings from 2020 to 2022. April is currently the Treasurer of the Claremont Learning Partnership and Treasurer of the Sunapee Booster Club. She holds a B.S. Degree in Accounting & Finance from Franklin Pierce University and a M.S. in Accounting from Suffolk University. April lives in Sunapee.

Lauren Snow Chadwick
Attorney
National Education Association (NEA)
For the past decade, Lauren has worked as Staff Attorney with the National Education Association that represents over 16,000 members in the public education system across the state of New Hampshire. She previously served as a Staff Attorney with the NH State Employees Association. Lauren’s legal experience includes labor and employment law, and she previously practiced personal injury law in Colorado. Lauren is currently a member of the New London Zoning Board, and a member of the New Hampshire Legal Aid Board, which provides free legal advice and representation to low-income individuals in civil matters. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from Union College and a J.D. from the University of NH Law School. She lives in New London.

Scott Austin
Real Estate Developer and Restaurateur
S&A Austin Properties
Scott has been investing in commercial and multifamily real estate for nearly 20 years. He currently owns and manages several properties in the Concord area. Scott also is co-owner of Tandy’s Top Shelf Restaurant, Vinnie’s Pizzaria, and most recently Hermanos Cocina Mexicana in Concord. Prior to real estate development, he previously served as a regional sales representative for Frito-Lay for over 12 years. Scott holds a degree in computer science from SUNY Broome Community College. He lives in Penacook.